Senior forward Reagan Baldwin made a pair of 3-point goals and scored eight points to help the eighth-ranked Ankeny girls’ basketball team to a 51-32 victory at Ames in its season opener on Nov. 22.
Baldwin helped the Hawkettes to a 10-13 record as a junior, when she averaged 6.5 points per game and led the team with 40 3-pointers. She shot 38.5 percent from behind the arc and earned all-conference honorable mention.
Here is some inside info on Baldwin:
Did you do anything special for Thanksgiving?
Yes! We hosted about 20 people at my house. We make all the traditional food, but we barbecue our turkey and ham for everybody! We hang out all day and watch the parade and football!
What did you think of your team’s performance at Ames?
I think our initial performance was pretty sloppy, but we had such good highlights at times that showed how high our ceiling as a team can be. Overall, we just needed to get out those first-game jitters before we hit the ground running for the rest of the season.
Your team forced 35 turnovers in the win, and you had two of your squad’s 20 steals. Are you guys putting even more emphasis on your pressure defense this season?
Yes! We recognized from last season that our defensive level was so high as a team. Creating a pressure defense is so crucial in order for offensive success from the momentum it provides by getting stops.
Freshman Ali Aguirre had 11 points and four rebounds in her varsity debut. What is she going to bring to the team this season?
Ali is such a light to the team. She is such a great teammate to everyone, and the competitive energy she brings every day is contagious to everyone in the gym. In terms of the game play, she is such a threat on the inside and around the rim, constantly hunting the ball and looking to make a play for either herself or her teammates.
Your team has a busy week ahead with three games in five days, beginning with your home opener on Monday against Des Moines Christian. Do you know much about the Lions?
We are pretty familiar with the personnel that they have, knowing key matchups will be important in this game. Having a new coach the playing style will be different, but coming out with high energy to begin (the game) will be very important to get a win.
Your team will then host Valley on Tuesday in your CIML Conference opener. Do you still have some friends on the Tigers’ squad, since you played for them as a sophomore?
Yes, I still talk to a few of the girls on the team and get the opportunity to see them and play against them in the summer.
You said after your game at Valley last year that it was a little weird playing the Tigers for the first time. Do you think it will be less weird now?
I think that we are mainly just focused on the task at hand, which is coming out with a good team win. All of us seniors recognize that every game is important to our season. This is one in particular that we are looking forward to playing, knowing it’s important for our season.
Then, on Friday, your team will travel across town to face Ankeny Centennial, which returns just three players from last year and also has a new coach in Chris Harken, who was previously at Des Moines Christian. What do you expect from the Jaguars?
In general, I’m expecting a very competitive game from them. Being a crosstown rivalry game makes the energy very electric throughout the game. They are going to come out ready to play, and we will have to do the same.
I know your team’s ultimate goal is to make it to the state tournament. What would that mean to you to finish your high school career at the Casey’s Center?
It would mean so much to be able to finish out my high school career in the state tournament. Coming into Ankeny as a transfer (last year), and being able to build such a special team with my teammates would be so great. Knowing we met our goal in the end and enjoying the journey along the way. Our team has so much fun together this year, and it would be the ultimate way to end my career along with the four other seniors!
Coach Tobey told me before the season that you’re considering your college options. Are you close to making a decision?
I actually have chosen a school and am very excited to say I have committed to Waldorf University to continue my basketball career. The recruiting process has been so much fun for me, and I am so excited to be joining the Waldorf program!
What were you looking for in a school, and what do you plan to major in?
I was mainly looking for a family type of environment in my program. Coach (Joel) Stryker is new to the Waldorf program and is looking to build something special that I really wanted to be a part of. I am hoping to double major in political science and business administration In hopes to pursue a career as an attorney.